British Engines Case Study - Leaping Into Wellness
British Engines, founded in 1922 in the North East of England, is deeply rooted in the region’s rich history of engineering and manufacturing. With eight group companies operating in various engineering and manufacturing sectors globally, British Engines has built a legacy of innovation and employee engagement.
For the past four years, the company has embraced wellness initiatives as part of its commitment to fostering a healthy work-life balance. These initiatives have evolved each year, culminating in a partnership with YuMuuv in 2024 for their latest wellness challenge.
The Challenge: Evolving Employee Wellness
Past Approaches
British Engines had a strong track record of organizing wellness challenges, with previous efforts including a “Race to the Moon” challenge, where employees collectively logged exercise hours equivalent to the time required to reach the moon and back. While successful in promoting activity, feedback indicated a desire for more customizable and inclusive challenges.
The Need for Customization
The feedback from prior years emphasized the need for a solution that could cater to diverse fitness preferences and activity levels. Employees expressed interest in challenges that were more flexible, engaging, and accommodating for both casual participants and those seeking a higher level of difficulty.
To address this, British Engines turned to YuMuuv, whose platform provided the ability to host multiple challenge types simultaneously, offering a tailored experience for all employees.
The 2024 YuMuuv Challenge: “Leap Into Wellness”
Designing the Challenge
British Engines crafted a wellness initiative that offered three challenge categories:
1. Cycling Challenge
2. Minutes of Exercise Challenge
3. Steps Challenge
Each category included a standard option and an “extreme” version for employees who wanted to push themselves further. This flexibility allowed participants to choose a challenge aligned with their fitness goals, making the initiative more inclusive and appealing.
Engagement Strategies
To enhance engagement, British Engines incorporated creative monthly competitions, such as:
• Landmark Photo Competitions: Employees shared photos taken at notable landmarks during their exercise activities.
• Video Submissions: Participants uploaded 30-second clips showcasing their workouts, which can be viewed on British Engines’ TikTok.
These competitions fostered a sense of camaraderie and connection, especially through YuMuuv’s chat function, which enabled employees to share updates and cheer each other on.
Timeline and Participation
The challenge ran for three months, from June to August 2024, a period chosen to maximize participation during favorable weather. Employees from across the globe, including those based in India and Asia, joined in, further strengthening the company’s global community.
Results and Highlights
Impressive Achievements
The collective efforts of British Engines’ employees resulted in:
• 77.5 million steps logged.
• 17 million calories burned.
• 265,000 minutes of exercise completed.
The challenge also highlighted individual achievements, with top performers demonstrating remarkable dedication:
• Steps Challenge: Nagaraju, a Stores Officer at Michell Bearings India, logged an incredible 2,218,360 steps.
• Exercise Challenge: Andrew, an Area Sales Manager at Michell Bearings, completed 16,464 minutes of gym time.
• Cycling Challenge: Paul, an Occupational Health Technician at British Engines, cycled an impressive 1,600 miles.
Employee Engagement
• 74% of participants said they wouldn’t have been as active without the challenge.
• 82% reported improved wellness.
• 69% spoke to another colleague about the challenge, showcasing its role in fostering workplace connections.
The interactive features of YuMuuv’s platform, including leaderboards and chat functions, further enhanced engagement. Employees shared updates, photos, and encouragement, creating a vibrant and supportive community.
The Future of Wellness at British Engines
A Growing Tradition
British Engines plans to continue integrating wellness challenges into its annual calendar. The success of “Leap Into Wellness” has solidified the initiative as a cornerstone of their employee engagement strategy.
Continuing the Partnership with YuMuuv
The partnership with YuMuuv has proven instrumental in transforming British Engines’ approach to wellness. As Sophie Dodd, Marketing Assistant at British Engines, shared, “YuMuuv’s platform allowed us to create a truly engaging and inclusive experience where our employees had the flexibility to choose what worked for them, a really beneficial feature.”
Conclusion
The 2024 “Leap Into Wellness” challenge exemplifies how a well-designed wellness initiative can bring employees together, promote healthy habits, and strengthen organizational culture. British Engines’ commitment to innovation and employee well-being is a testament to the power of thoughtful, flexible, and inclusive wellness programs. As the company looks to the future, its dedication to wellness will undoubtedly continue to inspire its workforce and serve as a model for others.
